In the remote village of Damangduri in northern Ghana, Portia, a young teacher is rewriting the narrative of education against all odds. In January 2022, I took up the challenge of teaching at Damangduri DA Junior High School as its sole teacher. It was a daunting task, but I saw it as an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future leaders of Ghana.
The journey hasn’t been easy. My commitment to education stems from personal hardship and resilience. In 2008, when I was just ten years old, my father passed away in a tragic motorbike accident during a visit to his parents in the north. His loss left a void in our family that was further deepened when my mother fell ill and passed away four years later. My brothers and I were left to navigate life on our own, relying on hope and determination to see us through.
Education became my sanctuary. Despite the challenges, I was fortunate to be selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Camfed during senior high school. This program didn’t just pay my school fees—it transformed my life. The mentorship component was particularly impactful, introducing me to inspiring individuals who guided me and built my confidence. They showed me that my circumstances didn’t have to define my future.
Today, as a teacher, I bring that same mentorship mindset to my classroom. The school has three classrooms and three teachers, serving students aged 8 to 15, with even younger children sitting in, to avoid disrupting others if left outside. Every day, I face the challenge of limited resources and a diverse range of students, yet I remain committed to creating a nurturing environment for learning.
Ironically, my daily commute to the school is on a motorbike—the very mode of transport that claimed my father’s life. For a long time, I avoided motorbikes, but now I’ve embraced them as a symbol of resilience and necessity. They are my link to the children who depend on me.
My story is not just about overcoming personal loss but also about using that experience to inspire others. I want my students to know that they are capable of greatness, no matter their circumstances. Education is the key, and I am committed to unlocking that door for them.
This journey is not without its challenges, but it is one of purpose and hope. Every lesson I teach is a step toward shaping a brighter future—not just for these children but for Ghana as a whole.
“If I leave and no one replaces me, what happens to them?” This question fuels my commitment and drives me forward each day. I am here to make a difference, one student at a time.
In a small Ghanaian community, we are partnering with the women in Gindabo to transform their livelihoods and their environment through shea butter production. The women here, through their own organized system, collect and store shea nuts from local women, helping them connect to Pordu Care Touch Life, a social enterprise dedicated to producing shea butter and related products. This initiative not only creates employment opportunities but also addresses a critical environmental issue: the cutting of shea trees for charcoal. Recognizing the long-term impact of deforestation, Pordu Care Touch Life introduced sustainable alternatives, encouraging women to shift from tree-cutting to shea butter processing. This change has not only increased their income but also sparked a deeper appreciation for the shea industry and its potential.
Pordu Care Touch Life extends its impact beyond shea butter production. With 20% of product sales directed toward community support, the enterprise invests in quality education, female leadership, and skills training for women. Through these funds, women are empowered to learn alternative skills such as soap-making and beadwork, providing them with sustainable income options. This holistic approach to women’s empowerment and environmental conservation is a testament to the enterprise’s vision for a brighter, greener future. By supporting Pordu Care Touch Life, consumers contribute to preserving the environment, uplifting women, and fostering sustainable development in Ghana.
When I joined this community, I saw an urgent need to guide young minds toward a brighter future, just as I was mentored during my senior high school years through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Many of these children face pressing challenges and lack direction, unable to articulate their dreams or find solutions to their struggles. To address this, I initiated mentorship sessions, offering guidance, support, and even practical help like providing sanitary towels for young girls. Recently, my work with Sister Keepers has opened new opportunities for my mentees, with three of them being selected for a global competition. These remarkable young girls are tackling critical issues like waste management, unhealthy relationships, and teenage pregnancies, working toward real solutions for their community. My vision is to continue inspiring others and attracting like-minded individuals so we can work together to empower these children and create lasting change.
Building a Legacy of Hope and Action
Every challenge is an opportunity to inspire, to grow, and to create change. From empowering women to protect the shea trees that sustain their livelihoods to mentoring young minds to dream boldly, my journey has shown me the power of giving back. Each step we take—whether it’s planting a tree, guiding a child, or equipping a woman with skills—creates ripples of transformation. Together, we can build a future where communities thrive, nature is preserved, and everyone has the chance to rise above their circumstances. The work may be tough, but the impact is immeasurable. Let us inspire action and leave a legacy of hope for generations to come.
